Paper Craft Tool Tips Archives - PageThe Maine Stamper

How To Clean Your Stamps

May 20, 2020

What Cleaning Method Should I Use?

If you have stamps, and use those stamps, you need to clean them! There are a lot of methods and products available to clean your stamps, so it can be confusing to understand what is actually best for the health of your stamp sets.

I will provide some insight on different ways to clean your stamps, using Stampin’ Up! products and home-made diy products. And, I will discuss the one thing you are probably using now, but should not be, and why.

Stampin’ Scrub

The Stampin’ Scrub (item #126200) has been around for a long time. So long, in fact, that I have the original version (with two 5 1/2 x 7″ scrub mats) and the newer version (upgraded in size to mats of 7″ square). Both still clean my stamps well!

The mats are securely attached to a hard, black plastic case that closes when not in use. There is a raindrop symbol on one side corner (for washing) and a sunshine symbol in the other (for drying).

To use this, I simply spray the Stampin’ Mist Stamp Cleaner on the wash pad as needed to keep it damp. I never need a lot of the cleaner, it goes a very long way (refills are available as needed). The plush fiber scrub pads do a great job of quickly cleaning and drying my stamps.

The Pros

I love the slim folding profile for storage. It works efficiently, getting my stamps clean with a scrubbing motion. After cleaning and drying on the opposite mat, I can put my stamps away immediately. I also love the smell of the cleaner; the description reads “lightly scented” and it reminds me of baby lotion.

The Cons

You do need the specialty cleaner (another product to buy, even though it is lovely and used minimally). And the current version of the Stampin’ Scrub does not have removable pads for cleaning. So, when it is time to clean the cleaning pad, the whole unit needs to be run under water and rubbed until the ink is gone. Then, the unit needs to be propped open (tent style) to dry.

Simply Shammy

This reusable mat makes stamp cleaning effortless. When it arrives, it is a perfect pale purple, looking for water to moisten it. Like any shammy, if it dries out, just wet it back down before use.

This shammy is 5 x 7″, durable and thick (about a quarter inch). It will fit very nicely into a Standard Stamp Case (dvd style) for storage.

The Pros

It easily cleans my stamps with no chemicals, just water. It will not leave a lint residue behind. I like to pick the Simply Shammy up as needed to bend and fold it around the stamp I am cleaning, but it is so lush that it works well flat too. The storage case fits inside my cardmaking kit, so if I go, it goes too.

The Cons

After use, this purple shammy is not pretty. The ink will stain it. A lot. This does not affect the shammy’s cleaning use and will not transfer ink. And there is a fine line between dry and moist. If it is kept continuously too wet, it smells like gym socks in a bad way (only if you smell it close up, not from across the room). If it dries out completely, it requires a soaking water bath to recover pliability.

Stazon Cleaner

If you have ever used Stazon Ink, you know that cleaning it off your stamps is a challenge. The ink really stays on! That is why there is a specialty cleaner for this kind of ink.

The Stazon Cleaner has a soft scrub head underneath the bottle’s twist open cap. When I use this liquid cleaner, I just invert the bottle and rub the cleaning head over my dirty stamp. The specialty stamp cleaner dissolves the Stazon Ink pretty quickly, like magic.

The Pros

Stazon Cleaner is the only stamp cleaner that is tough enough to remove Stazon Ink stains from stamps. It is also a stamp conditioner, as it is oily in nature. I like that the cleaner and the scrubber are contained in easy to use unit. I also have gotten a lot of mileage from one small bottle.

The Cons

The Stazon Cleaner is not refillable, so when you run out, you need a complete new unit. When used with cling stamps, you need to immediately rinse the stamp with water to protect the adhesive on the label. It is not recommended to use with photopolymer stamps, as it may damage them.

Stamp Cleaning Pad

Don’t blink or you will miss it! This newly offered product rolled out with the annual catalog in 2019, and is retiring in May of 2020. It is a small case style stamp cleaner, 2 1/2 x 4″ in size, pre-filled with a cleaning solution.

This stamp cleaner removes classic water based ink and craft ink from rubber and photopolymer stamps. A refill of the cleaning solution is also available until the end of this month.

The Pros

I like the small, enclosed stature of this stamp cleaning pad, and that it comes with cleaner installed. I also appreciate that a separate refill is available. The most exciting thing with this cleaner is its use for tackling photopolymer stamps. I ran the following experiment:

Photopolymer Stamp stained before cleaning — First time use of a photopolymer stamp, inked twice in Lovely Lipstick Ink, then cleaned with the Stampin’ Scrub and Stampin’ Mist Cleaner. The stamp is lightly stained after the initial cleaning process.

Photopolymer Stamp after cleaning with Stamp Cleaning Pad — Here is the same photopolymer stamp after rubbing it on the Stamp Cleaning Pad. The staining is almost completely gone! This type of cleaning is very effective with immediate use. I tried to use an older red-stained stamp, and found that some of the stains came out, but not completely as indicated here.

The Cons

The Stamp Cleaning Pad looks dingy and dirty with use, as mine was once ivory in (pristine) color. It is recommended to rinse cling stamps with water immediately after cleaning, for the security of the adhesive label. Sadly, this cleaner is retiring before it got off the ground, therefore, many will miss out on it!

Home-Made Shammy Cleaner

Most crafters know that home-made is best! This stamp cleaner falls in that category. I created this crafty tool using a piece of regular car-washing style shammy material.

In fact, the whole kit and kaboodle was part of a stamp event I held one summer. My attendees received a piece of shammy, 6 1/2 x 8″ in size and decorated their own storage cases. This shammy folds nicely into the Standard Stamp Case, as the Simply Shammy above does. I included a handy cleaning chart as well.

Decorated Stamp Case For Cleaning Shammy — Designer Series Paper 7 x 10 1/2″ fits nicely in the sleeve of the stamp case. Decorate to your hearts content! And change styles as your mood changes. Don’t have a DVD style stamp case? Think outside the box and into a spare container…butter, coolwhip, lunchmeat, jelly or pickle jar. They can all be decorated with paper and ribbon too.

The Pros

The best thing about this shammy stamp cleaner is the limited expense involved. In fact, if you already have a shammy for other household uses, you just need a piece of it for your stamps. It uses water for cleaning. It wets down quickly for re-use. You can pick it up and scrub the nooks and crannies of your stamps. And no annoying lint left behind.

The Cons

Sometimes home-made is a little fourth grade quality. It really depends on what you prefer in your craft area. This shammy does dry out pretty quickly, even in the plastic stamp case. The ink stains are permanent as well (though this does not affect use). After using the Simply Shammy (purple), this one is thin in comparison.

Baby Wipes: NOT For Stamp Cleaning

Yes but…they are so convenient. Everyone uses them. Why do you have them in your craft room, Julie, if you say “do not use them on your stamps”?

Been there, done that! For a very long time, I used baby wipes to clean my stamps. Even after I lovingly adopted other stamp cleaners, this was my easy go-to instant stamp cleaner. Until…

The fuzzies started to attack my ink pads! Baby wipes leave lint all over your stamps when they are rubbed and scrubbed. The lint is hard to see, until you use your stamps repeatedly in ink and the fuzzies wind up there.

It soon becomes a fuzzy frenzy. Fuzz on stamps, fuzz on ink pads, then onto other stamps, horrible stamped images that contain fuzz. The fuzzing must stop!

My solution: take a strip (or more as needed) of masking or painters tape and de-fuzz your ink pads. Yes, you will pick up some ink, but more importantly, you will pick up the fuzz.

Next, stop using baby wipes for your stamp cleaning purposes. I realize this may be a hard good-bye, but your ink pads will appreciate your efforts. Think of the money you will save when you don’t need to buy more one-time-use baby wipes…you can buy more stamps or paper instead!

And those baby wipes in my craft room…are best used on my inky fingers. Maybe even the corner of the clear block that picked up extra ink from the ink pad. But that is it.

Stamp Cleaning Options

There are so many options when it comes to stamp cleaning. The important thing, of course, is to clean your stamps. They are a great investment, take good care of them!

If you want to check out the cleaning solutions that Stampin’ Up! has to offer, visit my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, at your convenience. And if you have any great stamp cleaning tips, be sure to share them in the comments. We all need good, clean advice from time to time!

Scissors In The Craft Room

May 14, 2020 2 Comments

How many pairs of scissors does it take to make your craft room complete? Punchline answer not available, crafty people take this very seriously! After taking on this subject, I did a quick count, myself.

For most of you, the answer will vary. This may depend on how many you actually own and use. Or find. But your answer should be a resounding “more than 1!”. I can check-mark that box for sure.

As cardmakers and papercrafters, we require good scissors. Our scissors have to be a proper fit for our hands. Our scissors have to work well for the intended use.

This tool should be flashy enough to us so it does not get buried in the mountain of paper we work with. Maybe come with a tracking device, for those times they get lost. After all, I can dream, right?

We need them in a variety of ways for so many purposes. And I am not talking about clipping coupons, opening chips or trimming hair. Those ordinary scissors are for less important work.

Good Paper Scissors

Do you have a pair of scissors that you consider your “Sunday Best”, that are tucked away for special use? Is there a work-horse pair that clomp around your crafty area and do any job you ask?

If you have more than 1 pair of scissors, you have probably designated each pair’s use. And, I say, for good reason! My scissors are different sizes and perform different jobs as well.

I can proclaim, hands down, my Paper Snips from Stampin’ Up! are the best pair of scissors I own. (You can buy a pair in my online store!) They are in excellent company; I don’t want to discredit my others scissors.

But my Paper Snips do so much for me, and I use them the most. Here are the top three uses for my Paper Snips:

1. Fussy Cutting

My Paper Snips are super sharp. I find that the little blades make quick work of fussy cutting (to see the card I was fussy cutting this image for, click here). I can get into very detailed areas if needed. My Paper Snips are small enough to swing direction easily, and this makes them priceless to me.

2. Flagging Ends

I get a lot of use from my Paper Snips by simply creating flagged ends of cardstock. The flagging technique is fun and decorative, an easy design enhancement for any card.

I start from one corner and snip to the middle at a straight angle. Next, I repeat on the other side. Others trim straight up the middle first, then cut toward it from each outer corner. You should experiment at home, practice makes perfect.

3. General Trimming

As a papercrafter, I am frugal with my scraps. I keep the left-over papers neat and organized for their next possible use. My Paper Snips come in handy to trim neatly and efficiently around messy edges. This helps me avoid paper mash-up as intricate edges collide. No paper jams for me, thank you very much.

4. And More

Okay, I realize I said I was sharing my top 3 reasons, but there are more things to do with Paper Snips. I have used them as tweezers for embellishment placement. They come in handy to peel backing off sticky tape. And they pick and poke jammed bits of paper out of punches very nicely. I am sure you have even more great uses to share with me!

Paper Scissors & Ribbon Scissors

There is a decree that paper scissors are only to be used on paper, and ribbon scissors are only to be used on ribbon. At least in my craft room.

My ribbon scissors live in a glass jar, far away from the common crafting area, on an elevated perch. They survey the craft kingdom and make special appearances as necessary. I do not allow anyone to use my ribbon scissors for anything but ribbon cutting.

Are you new to types of scissors in the craft room and confused by this? The answer to “why?” is simple. Paper dulls scissors quickly. As a result, dull scissors do a terrible hack job on cutting ribbon. Lastly, ribbon gets wasted, crafters get angry. It is better to have a designated pair of scissors just for ribbon only.

Decorative Scissors

Scissors are also decorative. I own a set (or two) that cut fun edges in designed patterns. These kinds of scissors are great if you don’t have punches, or dies and a die cutting machine.

Not only are my scissors used to make decorative cuts, they are also decorative in nature. I have assembled them in a ceramic mug. This puts the fun in fun-ctional. They are pretty to look at, like a bouquet of flowers, and that makes me happy.

Scissors With A Purpose

Anyone remember the Fringe Scissors? Stampin’ Up! retired theirs in 2017. I have put them to work to make grassy landscapes and fringe (as the name implies). The trick to using them is to know when to stop. If you cut too far into your paper, the result is confetti strands!

Rules And Regulations Of Scissors

Your first thought on scissor rules may be “walk with the pointy side facing down” or “don’t run with scissors”. I am thinking of scissor safety too: keeping my craft room scissors safe from theft and abuse.

The consensus on keeping scissors is: the more the better. Also, I discovered it is common practice (for many) to keep scissors in every room, in order to keep the craft room scissors safe. These decoy scissors are working hard daily, taking on those ordinary tasks like I mentioned above.

And to answer the question at the beginning of this post, my craft room is complete with 12 pairs of scissors, plus an exacto-knife. Do a quick inventory yourself, and let me know what vast number you come up with!

Pulling Punches

March 10, 2020

Need to create a quick card or project and want it to be more than just layers of boring cut paper? Looking to spice up the images of your creation, but don’t want to fuss with a die cutting machine? The easiest way to accomplish this is by pulling punches.

This punch holder houses my smaller punch collection along with some basic shapes. It sits on my work counter for easy access.

Punch A Bunch

Stampin’ Up! offers a vast variety of punches. In fact, there are currently over 40 different punches to choose from in the Annual and Mini Catalogs. You can purchase large, medium or small punches, border punches, tag topper punches, builder punches (make a punch template!) and trio punches.

This heavy duty punch holder is home to my basic punches. Also located on my work counter, it is my number one go to for punch shapes!

Every year as new offerings come out, I am working them into my orders and crafting with utter glee, pulling punches from my collection to work with. Every now and then, I remember to update my punch binder for quick-find access ( a project that is currently on my to-do list!). I also rotate punches into new locations as my collection expands.

My 5×7 binder is punched and labeled cardstock in protective sleeves. Cardstock colors differentiate specific punch types, and are filed accordingly. At a glance, I can view what punches I own, and if it will fit a particular stamped image via the “punch template”.

Another punch holder, this 7 drawer cabinet really packs them in!

Versatile Punches

Punches are amazing! They offer quick and instant results, can be layered, embossed, turned into 3D projects and combined into punch art. No batteries, electricity or great skill are required to manipulate a punch. And they can add so much to your project.

Stacked or crated, punches make great decorative accessories in your craft room. Beautiful to look at and to use!

Get Punchy

Punches are available to purchase individually, or as a bundle when newly released. Bundles typically include a coordinating stamp set, along with a 10% savings. When you have images that you can stamp and punch to exact shape, your crafting is more enjoyable.

If you are new to papercrafting, punches are the way to go for building blocks in your crafty arsenal. For experienced papercrafters, adding new punches to the mix adds fresh variety and elevates your projects into greatness. Stop by my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, and pull some punches onto your order today.